Craig Miller

Q: My elderly uncle can't seem to recover from the loss of his dog. Is it normal to grieve for months when a pet dies? When is it time to encourage him to seek mental health help?

A: More than half of American households have pets. "Companion animals" are often considered part of the family. An elderly person may find special solace in the company of a pet after losing a spouse or friends. The attachment can be very strong.

Not much research has been done about grief over losing a pet. Available evidence says that this grief is like any grief. It resembles the grieving of a close friend or family member.

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